Social housing - need extra bedroom

Idontknow5

Thank you to most who have posted, it is very difficult to go through it all in detail both my nan and partner have various needs of care, to list them all would be too long to read. I think I will speak to the council direct however, as my partner has not yet been diagnosed (well he hss been diagnosed before multiple times only for it to be ruled out, nothing current) all we can offer as evidence is the medical notes on various testing and time spent in hospital.

carefullycautious

Have you looked into getting your name added to the tenancy. I think if you have lived there for 2 years you should be able to. I know that is the case with a local authority.


Also if the housing association are ok with you living there what is to stop you exchanging to a 3 bed property?

Idontknow5

Its because we at the moment dont assess for a third bed, due to being a couple, so the HA wouldnt approve an extra room. But we have been looking at exhanging for a 2 bed with a dining room or something with just a bit of extra space to use as an extra sleeping area.

Poppie68

Idontknow5 wrote: »

Thank you for your judgment however I don't understand your idea that Ihave no right to live where I do. The tenancy is in my grandmothers name ie she is responsible, but we are listed as living here. The housing association are well aware that we live here. At no point over the many conversations I have had with them have they stated I have no right here, so forgive me if I believe our landlord.
If you read my post properly, I did not refer to my self as an adult child it was merely an example. If you have a son or daughter over 18, are they jointly responsible for your tenancy? Or just listed on it.

The council have accepted an application previously with us assessing for a 2 bed. Quite clearly we exist. My question is asking about medical assessment.
I am capable of living away from her, however my grandmother is dependent on me. From your tone you seem to have concluded that I expect something for free? I am a working adult, caring for two sick adults and merely asking for advice, on an advice forum. I am 'making my own way' as best as I can under the circumstances.

Nobody is saying you have no right to live there, what's being said is that you have no rights as a tenant, your Gran is the only legal tenant and her needs are being met. You are little more than a guest and the HA can move you out without any recourse.

Idontknow5

@carefullycautious
Sorry im back on my phone and the quote doesn't work on here.. but in terms of adding to the tenancy thats something I will query as we have been here a long time, I just didn't think of it as the council have previously accepted us as a '2 bed family' so I assumed that meant we are counted as part of the household iynwim.

Idontknow5

@poppie68
The person who posted that did so I just needed to ask what was meant by it.
But I can see where you're coming from in terms of being a house guest, I just don't know if that's the case here as, prev mentioned we did apply to be rehoused a while ago and we were all taken into consideration. The only reason we didn't continue at the time is my nan had a fall, so to move would have been stressful for her.
Which is why I'm confused now - unless the rules have changed in the last year?

It really is a question about what they accept as medical proof, however. If lack of diagnosis means they won't accept anything then that is just that and we will have no choice but to leave it for the near future.

Poppie68

Idontknow5 wrote: »

@carefullycautious
Sorry im back on my phone and the quote doesn't work on here.. but in terms of adding to the tenancy thats something I will query as we have been here a long time, I just didn't think of it as the council have previously accepted us as a '2 bed family' so I assumed that meant we are counted as part of the household iynwim.

If you are on the council waiting list but living without a tenancy agreement in a HA property then you are still on their waiting list without a tenancy agreement. Your needs for a 3 bedroom won't be taken into account as already said your Gran is the only legal tenant. You need to see if her tenancy agreement allows for you to be added but from what you have said you would struggle to qualify for a 3 bedroom.

Poppie68

Idontknow5 wrote: »

@poppie68
The person who posted that did so I just needed to ask what was meant by it.
But I can see where you're coming from in terms of being a house guest, I just don't know if that's the case here as, prev mentioned we did apply to be rehoused a while ago and we were all taken into consideration. The only reason we didn't continue at the time is my nan had a fall, so to move would have been stressful for her.
Which is why I'm confused now - unless the rules have changed in the last year?

It really is a question about what they accept as medical proof, however. If lack of diagnosis means they won't accept anything then that is just that and we will have no choice but to leave it for the near future.

Lack of diagnosis won't be the stumbling block, the actual reason and need has to be solid. Your Gran needs to speak to the HA and see if they will allow an exchange.

booksurr

Idontknow5 wrote: »

Thank you for your judgment however I don't understand your idea that Ihave no right to live where I do. The tenancy is in my grandmothers name ie she is responsible, but we are listed as living here. The housing association are well aware that we live here. At no point over the many conversations I have had with them have they stated I have no right here, so forgive me if I believe our landlord.
If you read my post properly, I did not refer to my self as an adult child it was merely an example. If you have a son or daughter over 18, are they jointly responsible for your tenancy? Or just listed on it.

The council have accepted an application previously with us assessing for a 2 bed. Quite clearly we exist. My question is asking about medical assessment.
I am capable of living away from her, however my grandmother is dependent on me. From your tone you seem to have concluded that I expect something for free? I am a working adult, caring for two sick adults and merely asking for advice, on an advice forum. I am 'making my own way' as best as I can under the circumstances.

you clearly stated you were not on the tenancy agreement and said "no idea why that makes a difference". My answer was facts, not judgement

I gave you a very clear answer as to why it does make a difference. I shall repeat it as you seem not to have understood: You are adults living in a house where you have no legal right to occupy it as you are not its tenant. You are not dependents (ie children) of the tenant - your gran, you are merely adults who could live elsewhere if your gran was rehoused. There is no requirement to keep you together as a unit of 3 people nor is there a legal requirement to provide you with 3 bedrooms

you have now provided extra detail, we are not mind readers. Your existence is known to the council as you are listed as occupants, that simply gives you the same status as a guest, nothing more, nothing less.

your desire for 3 separate bedrooms given you comprise a couple plus 1 other will not get you such a place in competition with those whose need is greater than yours unless your need is increased by medical evidence - so far you have none in respect of your partner hence you have only been offered 2 beds

[Deleted User]

For a third time. Call Shelter, clarify your legal position as far as tenancy goes. Look at your local authority's Housing website, and investigate what type of tenancy your Gran has (if she has lived there for decades she may have a different type of tenancy to more modern social housing tenancy agreements, this may offer some advantages possibly).

I am not saying any of this will help. But you could be on slightly iffy ground so need to find out any information that will help. Any chance, or information that may help, chase it up. If you already managed to get yourself viewed as a unit that needed a 2 bed place, that's good, that's part of the way there. Just build on the rest of it.

And get all the support from medical professionals you can if you want an extra bedroom because of your OH's care needs. Ask whoever you last saw about your OH whether more investigations can be done, do research online to see if there are conditions that match the symptoms your OH has, ask for a referral from his GP for a referral to a named specialist (I had to do this for my son, before that the GP said there was no one for him to go to). Be prepared for this to take time. Better to sooner rather than later because of this. It took me about 18 months to get all the evidence I needed for a homeless situation I knew was coming up. Without it we'd now be in a much worse situation.

If you feel your Gran needs your presence as a carer, start making the situation official. Apply for benefits as a carer, get the support of medical professionals or social workers. If you are a carer, get a carers assessment (ask your local civic centre how you apply for this).

You will have to leave no stone unturned to help your situation. It can be done. But it will be up to you to do it.

Its a lot of work, but its worth it if you have nothing else. Believe me.